Guild Update 26th March 2016

Despatches

Mike Peters writes:

The Spring issue of Despatches has just gone to print and will be posted out to the current membership list in the next week, thank you to everybody who has contributed articles and pictures. Members may have noticed that there was no Winter issue, this was due to the volume of AGM related work during the run-up to Christmas and I apologise for the absence of that issue. I have now all but exhausted the ready use ammunition of articles and images so if you are sitting on an interesting piece that your fellow members may enjoy, now is the time to submit it. Please keep sending your guiding images in (with the usual caveat on the proportion of headstones), they need to be with Tony Smith by 1 Jul 16. The Winter issue will be a joint effort between myself and our new Assistant Editor, Emma White. Emma has offered to take on some of the workload of the magazine and has made a good start on the Book Reviews page in the Spring Issue. Thanks again to everybody who contributed to the latest issue and I hope you enjoy it.

Membership Renewals

Secretary writes:

There are a number of members that have not renewed their membership for this year as yet.

IF YOU HAVE NOT RECEIVED A RECEIPT FOR THIS YEAR’S MEMBERSHIP FROM JO HOOK IT IS BECAUSE WE HAVE NO RECORD OF YOU HAVING PAID YOUR SUBSCRIPTION THIS YEAR.

IF YOU THINK THAT YOU’VE PAID BUT HAVE NOT HAD A RECEIPT PLEASE GET IN TOUCH WITH JO HOOK ASAP.

We have been reminding members of the need to renew since January and renewals are already seven weeks overdue. Don’t forget that we are also offering a deal on membership with a discount if you pay for three years now.

The window for renewal will finally close next weekend as the Membership Secretary will then be away until mid-May. So after next weekend details of those that have not renewed will be removed from the Guild membership and mailing lists.   

If you do not wish to renew, it would be good if you were to drop us a note to that effect. This will save significant amounts of time spent going through the bank accounts trying to determine whether people have paid or not.

The updated membership list will be published on the website in due course.

Guild Public Liability Insurance

Secretary writes

I have now sent out premium quotes to all those that have asked about the Guild Public Liability insurance policy this year. If you think you should have received a quote but have not please let me know asap.

If you want to take out the policy, there is still time - please let me know your estimated guiding turnover for the coming year and I will arrange a quote for you. 

Use of Membership Nomenclature on websites/social media sites

Secretary writes:

There are still a number of Associate Members that have not changed their membership nomenclature on their websites and social media sites. Please could I ask again that you amend your description of your membership status on your sites, if appropriate, now.  

Op Sealion GBG Weekend in Kent and East Sussex 1st - 3rd April 2016 - Update

John Cotterill writes:

The following members are attending some or all of the above weekend, which is based at the River Haven Hotel in Rye:

·         John Cotterill

·         Frank Baldwin

·         Bob Brunsdon

·         Robin Burrows-Ellis

·         Duncan Cook

·         Bob Darby

·         Laurie Evanson-Goddard

·         John Harris

·         Chris Finn

·         Mike Mizen

·         Kathleen Neagle

·         Paul Oldfield

·         Terry Webb

·         Robert Hudd

·         Tony Scott

Whilst there are now no more rooms available at the River Haven Hotel there are other hotels in the old Cinque Port of Rye within a few minutes’ walk, where alternative accommodation can still be booked. If you wish to come along on this weekend , which will look not only at OP SEALION in Kent but also at some ideas on how to run “1940 Defence” tours elsewhere in the UK , please send a cheque for £25 to the Guild Secretary and E mail john.cotterill@btinternet.com to let him know you are attending

Validation Opportunity

Tim Stoneman writes:

During the "Operation Sealion" Guild Weekend (1 - 3 April) there is an opportunity on 2 April for those wishing to attempt the non-written validation assignments (Assignments 1, 5 and 6).  The next chance to do so is some way off - it may be possible to include any further late bids in the programme for 2 April, provided Validation Secretary receives them ASAP.

Blacksmiths Guild

Andy Thompson writes:

Some members may be aware that the Blacksmith’s Guild are making a sculpture that will represent the link between the British & German blacksmiths who worked & fought in the Great War. The finished piece will be placed at a site near to the Langemark German Military Cemetery in 2017.

One of my clients is working on the project and has sent the following:

One of our Blacksmith Guild members is designing a panel for the project. His idea is to connect the British and German soldiers through blacksmithing i.e. enemies but bound by a common craft. He has plenty of info. on British Army smiths but getting German details is proving very difficult. Any ideas for pointing him in a possible right direction?

Message from The Battle of Fromelles Museum

Andy Thompson writes:

The Battle of Fromelles Museum will extend its opening hours from the 20th of April 2016.

The Museum will be open every day from 9:30 am to 5:30 pm (including the week-ends), except Tuesdays.

For any booking, please contact us at contact@musee-bataille-fromelles.fr

Best Regards

Tony Smith

Guild Secretary

Guild Update 18th March 2106

Membership Renewals

Jo Hook writes:

Please could all members remember to inform the Membership Secretary if they have paid by BACs for their annual membership.  If you have not received a receipt for your membership to date it means you have not let the Membership Secretary know you have paid and there is a danger that your membership will be discontinued.

War Heritage Committee

Mike Scott writes:

I recently attended a meeting of the War Heritage Committee at the Houses of Parliament in London. A report of the proceedings is attached.

Operation 'Market Garden' Guild Recce dates notice

Ian Mitchell writes:

After listening to feedback from members it has been decided that the theme for the Guild recce will be Operation Market Garden.    A 5 day Guild recce will thus take place in the autumn which will   primarily focus on the actions of the US 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions and the British 30 Corps during Operation Market Garden. This event will however also devote time to visiting selected stands associated with the 1st Airborne Division battle at Arnhem.  The recce will include stands on the Polish Airborne Brigade and actions of the 43rd Wessex Division. 

There are two proposed dates for the event

·         Option 1 - 30 September – 5 October 2016 (+ Optional extension to 6th October)

·         Option 2 - 14th -18th October 2016 (+ Optional extension to 19th October)

Tony and I would like all those members interested in attending (including those who have already expressed an interest) to clarify which of these 2 options they would most prefer. We will also now start to carry out more detailed planning and expect to produce an overview of the Guild recce within the next 3-4 weeks and a detailed schedule by the end of April.

Finally both Ian and Tony would very much like to encourage those Guild members who live in Holland and Belgium to be involved in this recce even if this is just for one of the days. They are both aware that many Dutch members have a significant local knowledge on Operation Market Garden and thus would welcome their input and advice during the initial planning phase.  As part of the recce Ian and Tony hope to have a social event which would enable those attending and those who live locally to meet each other

Somme Centenary Exclusion Zone

Steve Cox writes:

The map of the Somme Centenary exclusion zone can be found here - http://somme2016.org/en/about/visiting-thiepval/. I also understand that the Sheffield Memorial Park will be ticket only.

Glenn Hearnden also adds:

For the latest updated information regarding the security cordon,  access and the 141 Days of the Somme and the Thiepval Memorial please see the below links. 

http://www.cwgc.org/the-somme/visiting-the-somme.aspx

http://somme2016.org/en/about/visiting-thiepval/

Community Group Support

Glenn Hearnden writes:

Big Ideas Company are recruiting six part time Area Managers across the UK to support community groups to participate in the Commonwealth War Graves Commission's Living Memory project. More information can be found at http://www.bigideascompany.org/index.php/2016/03/14/join-the-living-memory-team/ or email katharine.lane@bigideascompany.org

Whiskey and War Event 14th - 16th October 2016

Rob Deere writes:

The Whisky & War Guild weekend will take place Friday 14 - Sunday 16 October 2016, with travellers arriving in Inverness on Thursday 13 October.  Based in Inverness, it will include battlefield walks of the battles of Auldearn and Culloden; tasting tours of two different but outstanding Speyside whisky distilleries; guided tours of Fort George and Urquhart Castle and a Sunday lunch train ride on the Strathspey railway.  For the discerning battlefield traveller, this should be a great weekend, looking at two battlefields off the UK beaten track, two impressive and important historical buildings & museums whilst enjoying some quality Highland hospitality and some top notch whisky. 

The tour will be run by Duncan Cook, John Marr and Rob Deere.  Duncan and John are both local to Inverness, Rob just had the good fortune to be stationed there for two years.

The intention is for Guild Members who want to come on the weekend to book their own flights to meet and leave the tour.  A tour hotel will be recommended, individuals will then make the booking themselves.  Transport to and from Inverness Airport will be provided as will all transport during the tour.  Entrance fees etc will be confirmed once we have an idea as to numbers and negotiations can be completed with the various institutions. Meals will be paid for out of pocket once on tour, with the exception of breakfasts which we plan to have included.

At this stage, an understanding of those genuinely interested would be very helpful.  So, if you are interested, please email me at rob@robdeere.co.uk by31 March 2016. We will then finalise the programme, gather the costings and a second note will be sent out by 15 April with estimated costs, email links to the various attractions and advice on flights and the hotel.

Well supported, this has the potential to be a cracking good weekend.

Best Regards

Tony Smith

Guild Secretary

Guild Update 11th March 2016

New Members

Jo Hook writes:

We welcome the following new members into the Guild:

• Nigel Stevens from France joins. His interests are Guided Driving Tours 1914 – 1918 and Normandy Landings
• Marc Yates from Jersey joins. His interests are Jersey Military History covering from 13th to 20th Century
• Andrea Barbato from Italy joins. His interests are Spanish Civil War on Malaga Mountains Malaga Front WW2 Italian Campaigns
• Stuart Robertson from North Yorkshire joins. His interests are NW Europe 44-45 specifically D-Day

Annual Subscriptions

Jo Hook writes:

Last call for membership renewal. The window for membership renewal this year was from 1st January 2016 to 1 March 2016.  The payment remains the same at £75.00 per year.  There are various methods of payment you can use.  We are urging people more and more to pay their subscription electronically by BACs or standing order – it is faster, can be tracked by us and more efficient from an administrative perspective.  However, we also realise that the “good old fashioned” cheque is still the preferred way for some and will accept these but we will be increasingly moving towards electronic payment for the future.  Guild bank account details can be found on the website along with a step by step guide on how to pay electronically.  Cheques should be made payable to the Guild of Battlefield Guides Ltd.  Details can be found at http://www.gbg-international.com/bank_account.html                                                                   

If paying by BACs please ensure you use your name and membership number as a reference so we can identify your payment and please don’t forget to email the Membership Secretary at mbr.sec@gbg-international.com to confirm payment has been made. If paying by company cheque please can you ensure that your name is on the back as we cannot always connect a company with an individual!!

If you do not wish to renew your membership please inform the membership secretary so that she can carry out the necessary administrative process. After 1 April members who haven't paid and haven't informed us will be considered as no longer wishing to renew

Guild Public Liability Insurance

Secretary writes:

The Guild Public Liability policy will be renewed shortly. If you are interested in taking advantage of the very good rates that we get - which incidentally will be the same as last year, let me have an estimate of your guiding turnover for the coming year and I will get a premium for you. 

It is worth noting that this policy will not give you cover if driving clients in your own vehicle - that involves a whole different set of regulations and insurances. For further details on what you need to do if you want to drive clients about see  http://www.driver-guides.org.uk/legal-requirements.html

Operation Sealion weekend 1- 3rd April 2016

John Cotterill writes:

An Operation Sealion weekend will be held in Rye 1st - 3rd April 2016. Full details are attached as well as details of the 'cut off' dates. There will be validation opportunities over the weekend.

The Chairman notes - We hope that as many members as possible will attend this weekend. A lot of work has been put into developing a series of events for members in response to demands for more events. So come along and support John and of course learn about a very interesting piece of World War II history! 

Lochnagar Commemorations

Bob Podesta writes:

http://www.lochnagarcrater.org/TravelUpdate.pdf

Please find here the latest info about accessing the ceremony at Lochnagar, as you will read security will be intense.

Battlefield Trust Event at Mortimer’s Cross

Anthony Rich writes:

Members may be interested in attending a battlefield walk at the site of Mortimers Cross on Saturday April 16th . See the attached flyer for full details.

Belgium Tourist Office Trip

Secretary writes:

Phillipe Maree is planning to take members out again on what is fast becoming our annual trip to Belgium to see some of the battlefield sites that do not normally feature on the regular itineraries. The proposed dates are the 25th - 29th August. If you are interested in putting your name on the list of participants please let me know.

Help wanted

Secretary writes:

We have been contacted by Hugh Williams who is looking for photographs to publish in a forthcoming history reference book. He is looking in particular for photographs of:

• Dunkirk
• Pearl Harbour
• El Alamein
• D Day

If you might be able to help him, please contact him at hugh@hwbts.co.uk to dicuss further.

The Guns of Contalmaison

Rhydian Vaughan writes:

On a recent visit to the Green Howard's museum I found a connection to my family I wasn't expecting! Members may be interested to read about it - see http://greenhowards.org.uk/surprise-connection/

Best Regards

Tony Smith

Guild Secretary